The words Elena had whispered in the office refused to leave either of them alone.

By evening, the air in the house felt charged, like the calm before a storm. Victoria had gone to bed early with a headache, leaving the downstairs lights dimmed and the upstairs hallway quiet. Marcus found Elena in the guest room again, waiting for him. She was already naked, sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs slightly parted, eyes dark with need.

He closed the door and locked it. The click sounded final.

No slow build-up tonight. Marcus crossed to her, shedding his clothes as he moved. He pulled her up into...